San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-18
JACKS MATCHMAKING.

well, In common fairness, can't
say, for never actually met her. 1t
was her treatment of poor fellow, a
friend of mine, that set me against
her. She is, believe, very pretty,
clever girl, well known in London So
ciety-a Miss Alverton. Did you ever
meet herr 1t seems that a few years
since she was not nearly so well off as
she is now; and, when Dick Warbuton
proposed, his offer was very willingly
accepted, though the marriage was de-
ferred till she was year or two older
and Dick had got through his time in
India. He went off; but meanwhile
an old uncle turned up and announced
his intention of making the young lady
his heireSs. Of this Dick was told
nothing, and he had no idea of the
change in his lady-love's condition.
Just as he was starting for home how
ever, he received a letter from Mrs.
tered circumstances precluded her
daughter from fulfilling her engage
ment, requesting him to return the
young lady's letters, and adding that
his own and all his presents had been
sent to his agent. Furious, he went
home as fast as he could, and there
found the altered circumstances were
Miss Alverton's expected fortune and
engagement to some young man whose
title and position the uncle considered
a proper equivalent for his niece's
beauty and his own wealth. Mrs. Al
verton tried hard to prevent any inter-
view; but Dick was determined, and at
last managed to see the young lady,
who simply told him that she had
never cared for him, and had only
been induced to tolerate him by her
mother, winding up by showing plain
ly her delight at being rid of him. Such
was my second heiress. Now what do
you say to my dislike of rich wOmenp
Luckily for Maude, Gerald Fouls
had walked on beside her, looking
straight before him; otherwise the
growing pallor and agitation Of his
companion would certainly have be-
trayed her. She suffered horribly, for
in fact it was an episode in her own life
Gerald had related, and truthfully
enough. From not knowing some of
the persons concerned however, he
had failed to realize how far less
blameworthy the poor girl was than
the excited account of his friend had
led him to believe. Neither knew how
the daughter mad been compromised
by the artful scheming of Mrs. Alver-
ton, who had led Captain WarburtOn
on to an extent Maude would never
have permitted.
The harsh view Gerald took of the
affair hurt her terribly, and it was on
ly with difficulty that she could steady
herself. Gerald broke the silence after
q minute or two, saying in a lighter
tone
Il beg your pardon for this long
yarn; but Dicks story has been run
ming in my head all day, and my heart
aches whenever / think of him, poor
old fellow-for he has never rightly got
over the blow; and, though he'll proba-
bly, live long and, / trust, see good
days, there's bit of the best part Of
life gone from him, and he will never
be the same again. There-I am as
bad as everl But you have granted
me so much license in the way of speak
ing my thoughts that grow encroach-
ing. Forgive me-"
Readily enough. Why, it is pleas
ure to me to feely care for my sym
pathyP
aCare for it'll Why, Miss Thornleigh
-Maude, do you really not know how
precious it is to me-when it is all the
world to me? Look herel Pm not a
clever fellow like Jack; I'm very poor
man too; | know L have nothing to
win your love with; but, if loving you
and you only could do it, faith, there
are few men could beat me, l think 1t
has been growing on me since the day
/ first saw your face at the window
over the porch yonder, till now it has
taken such hold of me that hardly
know how 1 shall live if you cannot
care for me. Tell me, darling; will you
give your self to me, or must 60 away
heart-broken and dejectedP"
Maude, utterly taken aback at this
sudden appeal, and still shaken by her
recent agitation, could not speak; but,
if her lips were silent, her eyes appar-
emily were not, for the next minute
she found herself clasped tightly in
Gerald's arms, and kisses were show.
cred upon her fast ere she recovered
strength and sense TO release herself.
MIR. FOulis-GeTald-yO don't know
mel This is utter madnessl" she ex-
claimed.
IF it is. 1 infinitely prefer it to san